3 1.3

In a small room made of stone stood a tall figure, their blue eyes were shaped like the crescent moon while a small smile was worn on their face.

"I never thought you would acknowledge someone someone other than me, Fraht." Zudrech mumbled before patiently awaiting an answer.

Soon an aged voice sounded softly like a clean breeze. It brought Zudrech a sense of serenity and warmth.

"He, that young boy, is a new overseer... Zudrech, you must help him. Do not let him die blind."

"I would never had thought. . . our world would be forced to accept an existence of an outsider. . . " Fraht lamented before sighing. Zudrech did not ask any questions as Fraht would answer them if allowed to.

"You needn't know of the overseer, just know that our world is on the line as you young 'uns say it. . . May it perish now or crumble before instability."

Fraht continued to speak, his voice was only audible to Zudrech.

"He is clueless of his new identity. His guardian will teach him all he needs to know. All you must do is convince him to return to his homeland. His curiosity does not need to be fulfilled as of yet."

Fraht's voice slowly faded, Zudrech only looked up before nodding.

"Seems I have a lot of work to do if I want to live longer." Zudrech's eyes glistened before shining dimly.

Leaving the room, out the door onto the smooth soil, towards NaLan QingYu, Zudrech made his way with slow steps.

He seemed to meld with the surroundings like an invisible entity—baffling the onlookers if there were any—their eyes would see him but their brains would prevent them from perceiving him.

When Zudrech entered the room with NaLan QingYu, his gaze was fixed on NaLan QingYu's messy sleeping posture and his eyebrows were knitted together in shock.

Zudrech moved his gaze away from NaLan QingYu's shoulder before sitting on a nearby chair.

'Just how will I convince him to return. . . ?'

"Just tell him that he treated as if a blind infant. He will understand on his own." Fraht's voice sounded in Zudrech's mind.

Zudrech only winced from the sudden help.

'Shhh, are you trying to explode my brain? Be quieter next time. You weren't always this talkative.' Zudrech huffed before studying NaLan QingYu's healed injuries.

Fraht remained quiet.

Zudrech calmly analysed the fading scars before rubbing his nose only to yawn.

'He does seem strong. . . but why was he chosen to be the overseer?. . . '

***

"Imperial Father, I could not find second brother. It seemed second brother went of deeper alone."

The words were spoken by a man seeming to be around twenty.

His sharp and shining grey eyes guarded by thick eyelashes, tall crooked nose, thick sword-like eyebrows coupled with his smooth black hair and tall stature oozed our nobility or of something higher; perhaps a higher being like a king.

He was NaLan YunTian, the crown prince of LanFeng country, NaLan QingYu's elder brother.

Stood respectfully to a man of similar appearance was NaLan YunFan. His eyes were narrowed while a sharp glare to that of a eagle seemed to pierce NaLan YunTian.

"Repeat what you said to Us, YunTian'Er." He demanded coldly. His voice shook slightly, betraying his frigid façade.

"Second brother went off on his own. We were unable to find him. I have failed you, Imperial Father." NaLan YunTian repeated as his eyes were fixated on the floor.

His fists were clenched for a reason unknown.

". . . Await his return while using this opportunity to trap that scoundrel now that QingYu'Er is gone." NaLan YunFan ordered before changing to a soft tone.

"YunTian'Er. We failed to protect QingYu'Er and Shu'Er, not you. It was only We." NaLan YunFan shut his eyes for a brief moment before reopening them.

They were misty with guilt and sadness.

"We should only focus on capturing YeBai and make him remember the crime he had committed as well as speaking the truth to QingYu'Er. Be cautious when capturing him, do not let any information leak," NaLan YunFan warned, "or QingYu'Er will hate us even more."

"Your son understands. Your son promises the only result Imperial Father will hear is success."

"Good. You are now dismissed."

NaLan YunTian stood and walked out the study with eyes full with hatred.

'NaLan YeBai! Benwang will definitely show YuYu your true face! I swear on Benwang's head!'

His face was cold devoid with emotion whilst leaving, ignoring all the eunuchs surrounding him.

He will capture NaLan YeBai, even if he must die.

Such was his promise to Song Shu, the Empress of LanFeng, his foster mother; protect NaLan QingYu until he knows the truth.

***

NaLan YunFan hit the table with his fist.

The documents on his desk scattered into the air, landing on the floor.

'Us... Us will definitely not let you get away, matriarchal killer, hideous and vile snake!'

His face went red before he realised what he was doing.

"Shu'Er. . . Why did you leave Us?. . . Us misses you. . ." NaLan YunFan whispered as he covered his eyes with his sleeve.

Laid back on his chair, tears soaked his sleeve.

Nearby was a wisp of clarity, silently watching over.

It was ChaoTian.

"Host will definitely complete the mission, for you all and the world's core."

ChaoTian vanished before returning to NaLan QingYu's side discreetly.

***

NaLan QingYu looked at the abyssal black spear in his hand and white silvery blade in his other. He felt the instruments and turned to Zudrech with a sudden revelation.

"Why are you giving me such a precious partner?"

Zudrech only smiled at the term NaLan QingYu used to describe the bow.

"It is meant for you, Zhengui," He responded with a stern tone, "I will not take it back."

NaLan QingYu looked at Zudrech for a moment before returning his gaze to the bow.

"Okay then. What is he. . . or she called?" NaLan QingYu only sighed.

With Zudrech's persistence, he was forced to accept his request to return home and deal with his matters first before coming back. His body had surpassed his prior prime and a sour feeling kept nagging him.

It haunted him.

Zudrech chuckled hearing NaLan QingYu's sigh, "His name is Spear of Horus. It was found in an unique tomb under our village after an attempt to make an underground layer to stock firefly peaches and blue-spotted fros fruits."

"He is quite picky. His name was inscribed on a slate next to where we found him."

NaLan QingYu quietly listened as his grip on this spear tightened before relaxing.

'It feels as though it was made for me, ChaoTian.'

"Host is unique."

"Now go, be quick." Zudrech shooed him with a small smile, he had formed a bond with NaLan QingYu during the past few days but the man needed to go and fulfil his duty.

They could catch up later.

"I'll definitely come back." NaLan QingYu grinned before walking to the Forest of Loneliness with the Spear of Horus in his hand.

He did not look back as he had no need.

Upon the Spear of Horus emerged gold engravings, though they were faint. They glowed dimly, barely unnoticeable.

It silently cried while ChaoTian smiled softly from within the system space.

Oblivious to all the happenings around him, NaLan QingYu asked ChaoTian which direction was LanFeng country.

"North east is a moderately safe and quick route. It's the best out of all." ChaoTian replied a moment later.

Although ChaoTian said it was a moderately safe route, NaLan QingYu has yet to get used to his changes hence it would be harder than ChaoTian said.

With nod, NaLan QingYu focused on his his hearing while closing his eyes for a moment before launching himself onto a frat tree; using the branches of the gray tree to reach the top, he finally gained an idea of the greatness of the Forest of Loneliness.

After a short period of amazement, NaLan QingYu jumped down to the lower branches and safely landed at the bottom before dashing north east with narrowed eyes.

He pushed his body to the absolute limit while holding the Spear of Horus in his right hand, occasionally using it to help him avoid slips due to moments of carelessness.

***

NaLan YeBai coughed blood as he glared at the figure in front of him.

He was held in a black prison cell with only one brick let out for light while his limbs were chained up to prevent movement.

"Scum, are you happy? Benwang is very, very happy. Do you want to know why?" NaLan YunTian asked as he bent downward looking at NaLan YeBai's crippled body.

"Because you can use Benwang to deal with sec-"

"You are not allowed to call him second brother. Also, you are incorrect. Do you really not remember?" NaLan YunTian gripped NaLan YeBai's chin strongly.

"Benwang does not remember." NaLan YeBai tried to shake of NaLan YunTian's grip however it was futile.

NaLan YunTian was much stronger than him.

"You should use Benwang less often, or not use it at all, from now on. Imperial Father will let second brother deal with you after he finds out the truth of you murdering Imperial Mother at the tender age of three. Such a vile boy."

NaLan YeBai's eyes dilated for an instant but NaLan YunTian caught it.

"I really want to know what second brother saw in you, to be able to direct such hate towards Benwang and Imperial Father." NaLan YunTian pinched NaLan YeBai's chin as his nails dug deep, stabbing into the jawbone.

"Y-you, stop!" NaLan YeBai pleaded.

"You are in no position to ask Benwang to stop. The only one you can ask forgiveness for is second brother. Don't bother trying to twist things," NaLan YunTian chuckled coldly, "Benwang has recently acquired some revolutionary technology, it can capture sound and sight but it appears in black and white. Benwang can only record, as they call it, enough for five days with the film they provided Benwang."

"Do you not think this is interesting? Benwang finds this extremely interesting. Anyhow, Imperial Father will be arriving tomorrow. Any attempt of taking your life will reward you a lashing of burning hot steel-tipped whip. You will be fed by the guards whether you like it or not. And you will be supervised when you need to urinate or take a stool."

NaLan YeBai's muscles constricted in anger as he shut his eyes not wanting to look at NaLan YunTian any longer.

"You do not know how much he treasured foster mother, he would rather have his life taken in exchange for foster mother. One, because she is more important than himself. Two, he would want you to have a mother figure." NaLan YunTian spoke slowly.

"Though you wouldn't mind now would you? You would surely have foster mother's life after second brother died, would you not?"

"Shut your mouth." NaLan YeBai snarled.

"I reject your demand," NaLan YunTian laughed before leaving leisurely.

NaLan YeBai snorted in response before shutting his eyes again to calm his mind.